what a week

Whew. 

The last week has been CRAZY. It all started last Monday when we realized oh no, we have to finish our ATCs -- tonight!!! And by finish, I mean do the whole thing.

A little note about Artist Trading Cards - these are special cards made by a group of artists and traded to one another so that, after you've made your set, you receive an entirely unique set of cards created by your circle of artist friends. There is a host who takes care of all the logistics, periodically nags the artists into getting their cards finished, sorts through cards and distributes. The host of this particular trading event is my very talented (and patient) Aunt Tarryn. 

The theme was what we take with us. Jeremiah and I began at 8:30 Monday, promptly after our lovely Amelie was in bed with an early morning looming ahead.

The cards turned out great. Jeremiah is becoming an amazing abstract artist. His secret? He says, don't think.

Tuesday is always crazy because I work which means an early morning, getting all three of us ready, heading up to the mountains to Ammy's grandparents and back down to work. Oh, and then I work. 

By Wednesday it was obvious that I needed to get a real handle on our plans for the week, my to do list, etc. Ammy helped me make three lists.

Despite a long to-do list, we managed to find a little free time -- and with the first incredibly gorgeous days of the year, we couldn't resist playing outside.

This cookie had an unfortunate end...see below.

On Friday we took a trip to the Denver Zoo with our friends Michelle and Stella, it was a whole bunch of fun.

Then there was Saturday, St. Patty's Day. Since it is Spring and all, we decided to take on an enormous yard project. So my mom and dad came down and gave us a hand while we dug up our whole back yard.

Before

During

 

After

We finished the day together with a traditional Irish dinner. Jer and my dad were so tired they could barely move.

Sunday we thought about sitting around but, at the last minute, decided on a picnic up Flagstaff in Boulder. The day was windy so we ate in the van and ventured out just above Gross Reservoir.

Ammy was very excited when we decided, at the top of the mountain, that it was time to switch her rear-facing car seat to forward-facing (you know, because she's a big girl).

Now we're already two days into a new week, many adventures ahead.

exposure therapy

Last week I announced that I was going to suck it up and make it to the top of Trail Ridge Road. Being a known acrophobic (yep, I am terrified of heights), my husband humored me and nodded his support. I pumped myself up, giving myself speeches all morning. In the shower, over breakfast, in the car.

“It’s just like any other road. You won’t drive off a cliff and plummet to your demise. The speed limit is so slow! If you are in control of the car, you will feel safe.”

About a quarter of the way up, I started to panic. There were moments where the edge of the road just came a little too close to a steep decline. I had to stop and catch my breath. I told my mom “I don’t know if I can do this.” She urged me on, I continued, but I could feel my confidence slipping from my grasp and when we reached Rainbow Curve, at 10,875 feet I pulled off at the scenic overlook. My hands and feet were tingling. I couldn’t catch my breath. I was starting to feel faint. I got out of the van and crouched on my hands and knees, needing to feel the safety of solid ground.

After a few minutes I recovered myself enough to get Amelie and my nephews out of the car to have a look around.

The scene was hazy and there was obvious smoke in the air from the huge fires in Arizona.

A park ranger took a picture of the five of us.

I wish I could say that I went on and made it to the top but I didn’t. I turned that van around with my tail between my legs, thanking god that I was now hugging the mountainside and couldn’t see over the edge. Here’s how deep the snow was on that side of the road, despite the 78 degree day.

The pine beetles have made their way over the divide, spreading the copper brown of dead trees throughout the once-green forests.

We stopped at the Alluvial Fan to give ourselves some time out of the car. The Fan is the aftermath of an incredible flood, caused by the breaking of a natural dam in 1982. 29 million gallons of water came rushing down the Roaring River, sending giant boulders and trees downstream. Here's what it looks like today.

On solid ground, I was so happy to be alive.

Amelie's first hike.

We felt like real tourists as we stopped to photograph elk on our way out of the park.